Design and construction supervision of Ayivu solar powered water supply system in Bidibidi Settlement, Yumbe District

Abstract

This project Report is submitted to Makerere University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Award a Post-Graduate Diploma in Construction and Project Management of Makerere University. The report covers the Design and Construction Supervision of Ayivu Solar Powered piped water Supply System, a Project on which I worked as an Engineer for my organization (ACORD-Uganda). I participated in procurement process of the contractors, and I was also given the Responsibility of undertaking the detailed Engineering Designs of the above Water Supply System as well as the Supervision of its Construction. The System was constructed in Ayivu village, Zone 5 of Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in Yumbe District. Its construction commenced in 2018 and was completed in the year 2021 costing up to a tune of UGX 1,160,870,600 inclusive of VAT. The project included; hybrid powered (Solar and Generator) submersible Pump that draws water from a Borehole through a 1,793m Transmission main to a 100 m3 overhead steel Tank. It also included a 4,213m Distribution Pipe Network, a Chlorine Dosser, and 35 Faucets. The design was Reviewed by a registered engineer that resulted into recommendations and subsequent consideration for fittings losses which had not been provided for among others. It also led to a recommendation for the Organization to consider Drilling another Water Source to Supplement the Borehole that Supplies the system. A design horizon of 20 years was maintained for the design and a demand of 323m3/day for a project population of 11,698 were confirmed and eventually used. The Project Construction Supervision Phase enabled me to get involved in; site hand over to the contractor, agreeing on the work programme for the construction, continuous inspection of the construction work, ensuring Quality Control and Tracking / Monitoring Progress of work. This enhanced my judgement when it came to reviewing and approving contractors‟ valuation of works measured, and subsequently informing the value of the payment certificates for the contractors. Other cross cutting issues like Environmental and Social Aspects, Conflict Sensitivity, gender issues were incorporated in the design. Challenges that were faced in design and project execution, lessons learnt as well as how they were handled were captured in the report.